Citizen Engagement Project

Beautification of band Stand , Bandra, Mumbai

Parallel channels of influence

• User democracy: User boards at institutions

• Local democracy: Councils with formal competences

• Network democracy: Partnerships in integration, local planning

• Project democracy: Partnerships, networks working for projects, f.inst. establishing a local cultural center

Citizen’s participation in decision making

Cost effectiveness Access and inclusion

Quantity of services

Quality of services

Increase of resources

Transparency Participation of Civil Society

Freedom of active

participationResponsibility Resources

Channels of Commu-nication

Clear and specific

regulationsOpenness in

processesExistent

channels for participation

AutonomyTransparencyAdjustment in processes

Outcomes:

Inputs:

TIME IN

DECISIO

N M

AKING

LEVEL OF CITIZEN’S INFLUENCE IN DECISION MAKING

1

2

3

4

5

LegendGov. authoritiesCitizensMutual committees

Citizen’s committeesMutual cooperation

Level of citizen’s influence in decision making- Establishment of channels and bodies for mutual cooperation-

Democracy and civic involvement

Individual perspective

Social perspective

Self governanceRepresentation

Competitive democracy

Marketdemocracy

Deliberative democracy

Participative democracy

Citizen engagement – Danish style

• Inviting citizens to engage as users - individual focus

• Focus on public welfare services

• Public debates: Conflicts, problems

• Involvement through hearings

Scope for citizen influence?

Information

Hearing

Dialogue

Influence

Participation

New directions in citizen engagement

• Early involvement

• Committed citizens

• Focus on ”we” – the public good

• Dialogue: Focus on solutions

Bandra committee: A strategy for local democracy

The process • A ”culture of involvement”• A need to systematize involvement• Mapping the experiences• Citizen summit on involvement• Strategy developed by politicians

Bandra committee: A strategy for local democracy

Central points: • Aim: Involving citizens as citizens, not as users• Involvement considerations compulsary• The citizens have a right to be heard, scope for influence• Citizens must be involved in decisions as early as possible • Information and communication central • County staff are ambassadors• Focus on new competences and methods (tool box)

Bandra committee: A strategy for local democracy

Results: • Strengthened focus on involvement: - Spreading experiences and tools through project forum- Involvement part of project handbook

• Some areas in front: Children, planning, health

• Evaluation coming up

Bandra committee : involvement in the development

Lessons learnt• Biased participation: organized citizens

• Citizens gain insight into the complexity• A tool of communication • To come aware of local wishes and needs• Creates synergy across local associations• Define roles • Get the administration on board • Local councils are not for everyone

Possible gains from involving citizens

• Better informed decisions• Utilize civic ressources• Building trust and understanding• Civic ownership• Responsibility and community spirit• New solutions, innovation

Possible pitfalls

• Consider advantages and disadvantages • Local government should in general always have final say• Make sure citizens are aware and accept the premise of the dialogue • Get the administration on board • Citizen dialogue is pointless if ignored • Don’t do everything at once

What can politicians do to further citizen involvement?

• Establish principles/a strategy for citizen involvement• Ask the civil servants to plan citizen involvement • Facilitate dialogues between different interest groups• Participate actively in civic dialogues• Develop dialogue competences (listening)

The role of civil servants in civic involvement?

• Plan decision processes that leave room for citizen input

• Demand clear goals and ambitions, when asked to plan involvement

• Understand and value the contributions from citizens

• Develop new competences: Communication and facilitation

Asset Based Community Development

Asset Based Community Development

Asset Based Community Development

Asset Based Community Development

Asset Based Community Development

Thank You